Nano Emulsions and Anthrax... interesting research into prevention and treatment

The antimicrobial nanoemulsion technology was developed by Dr. James R. Baker, Jr. at the University of Michigan Medical School over a period of five years. This research was funded by grants from an agency of the USA Department of Defense (DoD) known by its acronym DARPA (Defense Advanced Research Programs Agency). DARPA had identified a need to have a non-toxic, non-corrosive, bio-defense decon material that can decontaminate equipment, personnel, structures, terrain, etc. in the event of a bio incident. This technology is now available for commercial development as a result of the university licensing the technology to NanoBio Corporation.

The NanoBio antimicrobial nanoemulsions are water/oil emulsions that employ uniformly sized droplets in the 200-400 nanometer (10-9 meter) range. These droplets are stabilized by surfactant and are responsible for the cidal activity. In concentrated form, the nanoemulsions appear as a white milky substance with a taste and consistency of cream. They can be formulated in a variety of carriers allowing for gels, creams, liquid products, etc. In most applications, the nanoemulsions become largely water-based, and in some cases such as a beverage preservative comprise .01% or less of the resultant mixture. Laboratory results indicate a shelf life of at least two years and virtually no toxicity. The NanoBio nanoemulsions destroy microbes effectively without toxicity or harmful residual effects. The classes of microbes eradicated are virus (e.g., HIV, Herpes), bacteria (e.g., E. coli, Salmonella), spores (e.g., Anthrax), and fungi (e.g., Candida albicans, Byssochlamys fulva). The nanoemulsions also can be formulated to kill only one or two classes of microbes. Due in large part to the low toxicity profile, the nanoemulsions are a platform technology for any number of topical, oral, vaginal, cutaneous, preservative, decontamination, veterinary, and agricultural antimicrobial applications....

This is interesting research that was commisioned by DARPA and seems to be successful in at least the prevention of Anthrax (not to mention other forms of biological contamination)... has anybody heard about this? It would be nice to have access to something like this. There is information on U Michigan's site also...

http://nano.med.umich.edu/homepage.html

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